Tilly pouted and untied her apron. "You wouldn't get caught by the general, he'd be the one giving the announcement anyways. I promise to clean the chicken shit once I'm back and fill you in on the announcement. It's been years since they've held one!" She squealed.
"Just be safe; George better do his job in protecting you instead of trying to get you filled with seed to have a child." I tuned out the conversation from there. My mind swarmed with unknown feelings when I heard the war general brought up.What could be so important that he'd host an announcement in Gilda? From the moment I met Cillian, there was something sinister that hid behind the depths of his aura, something I could not trust. My shadows tugged on my heart, communicating with me in a way I could not decipher. Before I could fully comprehend what I was doing, I was back in my quarters looking for my armour, weapons and most importantly, a long dark cloak that had no Apollon sigil. I did not have a plan on how I would leave the castle unnoticed. It was a skill built upon the missions Fala had sent me on. Slipping in and out of places had become second nature to me, so I snuck out of the castle.
Leaving undetected, just like a shadow.
Chapter 53
The Bane of Apollo
"Hurt me, fight me or try to kill me. I shall have no grievance in that. Hurt someone of great importance to me? And I shall bleed this world until there is no light. Until darkness thrives on every corner of Terran where it will rip whoever steps in my way."
Korovian translated text: Testimony from the Queen of Duvessa during the Dark Wars.
Destroyed upon command of King Solaire Gideon.
Passing Eldoor had been easy work, the roofing was tiled perfectly, making it easy to crouch and jump onto the next. The hard part was getting past the gates of Eldoor into Gilda. Sliding down a dirty gutter, I leaned against the wall and breathed in relief when I noticed the nobles were travelling in masses to attend the announcement. I let the hood of my cloak cover my face while manoeuvring and skimming through the fine horses and carriages making their way through the gates.
"Gods, this place is rancid. The society here needs to work on keeping the place clean," a noble quipped from his horse. I frowned beneath my covering. How important could this announcement be if the nobles left their snobby village to come to the poorer parts of the kingdom. The land here was dry, and the sand picked up in swirled wisps from the wind. I closed my eyes to prevent them from stinging.
"Death..." The wind seemed to strum when it swept past me. The ghostliness of it had my heart beating rapidly. The street grew crowded, and strangers bumped into me as I pushed through, I did my best not to let frustration overwhelm me. The district was noisy and smelled of sweat, as I moved forward I could see a podium rising above the heads of the people now gathered around it. "Shadow wielder." An echoed whisper flitted its way to me. I couldn't help the shiver that travelled up my spine. I was beginning to hear things... things that weren't there. I tightened my cloak and pushed closer to the front where a rising figure got atop the podium. When the dark scar cameinto view, I instantly recognized who it was. To his side stood the sun priestess from last nights’ ball.
"Cherished children of Apollo, we are here today to witness a moment that will be remembered in history. Where the witches of the Wicked City shall write about in the scrolls of their antechambers, where whispers shall echo across the land to teach lessons to the folk who go against Apollo and the almighty King himself." The priestess raised her hand in the air and all the spectators of the announcement cheered in happiness.
Cillian stepped forward. "Today we stare upon those marked for treason against the crown," he bit out and everyone gasped.
Was it the rebels? Were there more assassins?
"Bring them out." Cillian barked out his orders and then four Apollon guards came into view. Holding two struggling figures, kicking their knees, the figures who had bags over their heads fell hard to the floor. One of the concealed figures was a woman... With an emerald green dress. I pulled my cloak off, panting harshly at the recognition.
"Hoods off," Cillian coldly spat. The guards ripped it off, their bodies nearly being pulled back from the force. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight that unfolded in front of me.
Dread, so horrifying. Fear so paralysing. And shock so devastating pulled whatever sense and will out of my body. I could not move, could not speak because there were two familiar faces that were now on their knees on the damned wooden podium. Elijah. Beaten and bruised, his hair a mess, alarm in his eyes yet still strong willed in fighting against his restraints.
And beside him...
Eyes sharp like blades, the silver in them glowing brightly. Her chin upright and prideful, looking across the crowd, her eyes skilful in aerial view, finding me like an arrow amongst bows.
"Meet Fala—” Cillian roughly pulled her hair back. My heart thumped hard with the action. "Our lovely, well-esteemed arenaleader!" he announced to the massed crowd. He pulled on her hair harder, and she spat at him, Cillian reeled back, his face reddening in embarrassment, the sun priestess handed him a cloth. Fala laughed lowly to herself. In a fury, Cillian bellowed, "Bring out the pillory." My eyes moved to the loud noise of something heavy and wooden being carried onto the podium. It was placed down, and the guards, with difficulty, dragged both Elijah and Fala onto the contraption. Putting their heads into the space and trapping them with the wooden anchor.
No...
Fala then looked to Elijah, more concerned for him than her own wellbeing. Struggling against the contraption was futile, they were stuck in place.
"Let's announce their sins before they are to meetRiaanin his castle of souls, shall we?" Cillian spoke up and smiled wickedly. It nauseated me... "Here holds the rebel traitors who helped nurture, grow, and care for the Kinslayer of Duvessa who took refuge in their prestigious group." I inhaled the same time everyone let out an outrage of shocked murmurs and shouts. The little girl that haunted my mind stirred from her sleep. The girl who had caused it all, the girl who was at fault for everything. "The very people that concealed the festered darkness of evil within their keep. These two are assistants to darkness, they refused to see the command of our King's light and turned to the shadows of the murderer instead!" Cillian drew out his sword, golden hilted and sharp.
Do something.I screamed internally, the girl that haunted my mind stood frozen, silent tears passing down her eyes as she watched. Cillian stood behind Elijah. "They had every opportunity to repent for their sins. All they had to do was reveal the identity and location of the Duvessan murderer. Yet they refused. Showing who they served."
"Let the boy go. He knows nothing," Fala firmly said aloud. She sounded brave. Strong. And yet, it was the first time I had ever heard her sound this desperate.
"Then tell me,witch. Where is she?" he crooned. Parts of the crowd let out an uproar of shock at the truth of what Fala was.
Turn into a crow Fala... fly, fight... do anything.
Fala looked to Elijah who shook his head. I heard my heart crack before I felt it."Never,"Fala firmly stated.
"So be it." Cillian's sword swung high, the blade glinting in the light as it struck down swiftly.
And Elijah's head rolled to the floor.
